Kaisergruft

Lonely Planet review

The Kaisergruft beneath the Kapuzinerkirche (Church of the Capuchin Friars) is the final resting place of most of the Habsburg royal family (the hearts and organs reside in Augustinerkirche and Stephansdom respectively). Opened in 1633 at the will of Empress Anna (1585-1618), her body and that of her husband, Emperor Matthias (1557-1619), were the first to be entombed. Since then, all but three of the Habsburg dynasty found their way here.

It's interesting to observe how fashions change through the ages even in death - tombs range from the unadorned to the ostentatious. By far the most elaborate caskets are those portraying 18th-century baroque pomp, such as the huge double sarcophagus containing Maria Theresia and Franz Stephan, with fine scenes engraved in the metal and plenty of angels and other ornamentation. The tomb of Charles VI is also striking and has been expertly restored. Both of these were the work of Balthasar Moll. Most visitors come to see the tombs of Franz Josef I and his much-adored wife Empress Elisabeth; both are constantly strewn with fresh flowers.

The only non-Habsburg of the 138 people buried here is the Countess Fuchs, a formative influence on the youthful Maria Theresia.